HOCKEY NOVA SCOTIA PREPARES FOR HEAD INJURY POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

                Halifax, 2 December 2010 – Hockey Nova Scotia (HNS) has established a policy designed to address head injuries (namely concussions).

                The policy will be fully implemented as of January 1, 2011, however all teams are encouraged to follow the guidelines immediately.  Designed to protect the player, the policy addresses diagnostic, symptomatic and return-to-play subject matter.

                “This is a crucial step in ensuring a safe environment for minor hockey players in Nova Scotia.  With the increased focus and attention on head injuries, HNS is proud to be implementing and mandating precautionary measures,” said Lauchie MacIsaac, past president and chair Risk Management of Hockey Nova Scotia.

                The policy can be found in full on the Hockey Nova Scotia website –  http://www.hockeynovascotia.ca/policy.php

                For more information, contact Hockey Nova Scotia at 902-454-9400.

 

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Meridith MacDonald, coordinator communication and special events

Hockey Nova Scotia

902-454-9400

mmacdonald@hockeynovascotia.ca

 

 

 

Hockey Nova Scotia Policy

Head Injuries /Concussions

 

Hockey Nova Scotia risk management has reviewed significant literature re: concussion policy and as a result developed this policy for the protection and benefit of our players and all involved with the game of hockey in Nova Scotia.

 

 

1)      A brain injury or concussion could happen as a result of various altercations or events such as a check or blow to the head/ jaw or upper body which is significant enough to cause the brain to shake inside the skull. This trauma has the ability to cause symptoms of concussion and unbeknown to most bench staff, there could be some measure of brain injury suffered. In reality most bench staff do not have the experience or medical expertise to recognize such an injury. As a bench staff it must be acknowledged that a person in such a state could appear to the normal observer to be “out of it, punch drunk or dazed”. Symptoms include but are not limited to headaches, loss of consciousness, irritability, slow reaction time, drowsiness, slurred speech, double vision and vomiting.

 

2)       Even when diagnosed by a physician via a diagnostic imaging test, CAT scan or MRI, a concussion may not be evident and despite “normal” visual diagnostics, this does not preclude the possibility of a severe concussion and said physician may suggest being “safe rather than sorry”.

 

3)      When seen by a physician a skull fracture, bleeding in the brain or indeed some swelling may not be evident but may indeed be present.

 

4)      An injury could be present and could be temporary or permanent or indeed perhaps a blood clot may be present and could be fatal.

 

5)      Hockey Nova Scotia is adopting a “better safe than sorry” policy when it comes to concussions. We want every player treated as if they were our own; therefore when it comes to posing the question “I wonder if he/she has a concussion?” a visit to the doctor or the emergency room is the only option to gain a definitive answer to this question.

 

Hockey Nova Scotia believes that the health and safety of the players in our game is more important than anything else and as such Hockey Nova Scotia demands that every precaution be taken before a player who has suffered a suspected or identified head injury returns to practice or game situation.

 

 

 

Hockey Nova Scotia Policy re: Head Injuries/Concussions

 

 

1. A player suspected of a concussion must stop play immediately. Whether this happens on or off- ice, in a game or practice, the coach must remove the player from participation and request of the parents that they refer the player immediately to a physician for diagnosis. Final decision here is that of the coach and parents must follow-up as requested. Once requested by the coach that a player visit a doctor as a result of concussion like symptoms, the player will not be allowed to return to play until he/she has been treated by and a note provided by a medical physician.

 

2. A player diagnosed as concussed by a medical physician must stop all on and off-ice activities immediately. This not a parental decision, but rather a responsibility of the coach. The coach must report this on a HNS injury report form and submit a copy to the president of their local minor hockey association or league.

 

3. All coaches under the jurisdiction of Hockey Nova Scotia must understand that they cannot allow any player diagnosed as concussed to return to practice or play without written permission from a physician and the player following the return to play guidelines listed below. This need not be the physician who diagnosed the concussion but must be aware of the concussion.

 

4. Such written approval must be submitted to the coach, who will inform the president of the local minor hockey association or league of the physicians report and that the return to play guidelines have been followed, as listed below, before said player assessed with such concussion is permitted to return to any form of hockey activity within the jurisdiction of Hockey Nova Scotia. 

 

 

 

Hockey Nova Scotia is adamant that the responsibility for the enforcement of this policy is that of the coach and ultimately the president of the local minor hockey association and leagues that comprise the membership of Hockey Nova Scotia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOCKEY NOVA SCOTIA

RETURN TO PLAY FRAMEWORK

 

 

The return to play process is gradual, and begins after a doctor has given the player clearance to return to activity.

 

Steps 1 through 4 must be completed with consultation between the parent/guardian and the coach.

 

Doctor’s clearance must be submitted to your coach or the Team Trainer/Safety Person after completion of step 4 and before movement to step 5, who will in turn inform the Association or League President.

 

*The player should only progress to the next step after 24 hours of no symptoms after completion of the previous step.

 

 

Step 1:                  No activity, only complete rest. Proceed to step 2 only when                symptoms are gone.

 

Step 2:                  Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling. Monitor for symptoms and signs. No resistance training or weight lifting.

 

Step 3:                  Sport specific activities and training (e.g. skating, anaerobic, aerobic workout).

 

Step 4:                  Drills without body contact. May add light resistance training and progress to heavier weights. The time needed to progress from non-contact to contact exercise will vary                with the severity of the concussion and the player. Go to step 5 after medical clearance (reassessment and note to be submitted to your team’s Coach or training staff).

 

Step 5:                  Begin drills with body contact after medical clearance.

 

Step 6:                  Game play.

 

 

If symptoms or signs return, the player should return to the previous step, and be re-evaluated by a physician.

 

Failure of any coach, player, trainer, administrator or league to follow this policy and the guidelines herein will be suspended indefinitely pending a full investigation by Hockey Nova Scotia Risk Management.

 

 

 

 

 

Meridith MacDonald

Coordinator communication and special events

Hockey Nova Scotia

Phone: 902.454.9400

Fax: 902.454.3883